Mark Percival missed Thursday night’s clash with St Helens after being spending some time in hospital, Paul Wellens has confirmed.
The centre was named in St Helens’ 20-man squad to take on the Leopards after making his return from injury at Leeds Rhinos last week. That was his first outing since undergoing surgery on a bone spur issue in June, something that caused him to miss five weeks of action.
His absence from the starting line-up was noted then when the team news came through 90 minutes before kick-off, with Matt Whitley named at centre in a switch that prompted Matty Lees to move to the back-row.
As such, Wellens was asked about the 31-year-old’s absence after the game, with the head coach revealing he had been ill earlier in the week.
St Helens boss on Mark Percival absence
“Percy was took ill after the game at Leeds last week and spent a few days in hospital on an intravenous drip,” Wellens said after the game, per the St Helens Star.
“He is at home now and has improved but he was in no position to play a game like that.”
Percival’s presence was missed on the night with Leigh winning 16-4 at the Totally Wicked Stadium. It was St Helens’ first loss since May, and they will drop back down to fifth in the table should Leeds Rhinos beat Salford Red Devils on Friday evening.
James Bell was another man missing on Thursday with the forward, who will be joining Hull FC at the end of the season, pushing to return from a foot injury. He was named in the squad for the first time since April but wasn’t deemed fit enough.
The Saints will have feared losing Moses Mbye early doors too due to a head knock but the playmaker, who started in the halves, passed a HIA before returning to the field to play hooker.
